The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-03-18
Inauguration Day.
SHALL II BE CHANGED FROM THE PRESENT
FOURTH or MARCH,

From the New York san
The House Judiciary committee re-
Gently agreed upon joint resolution to
change the day for inaugnrating the
next and each succeeding president from
March fourth to April thirtieth, and to
make the latter the day also for the
final adjournment Of the next and each
succeeding Congress.
Although the Fourth of March is not
mentioned in the original articles Of
the constitution, il is spoken of iu the
twelfth amendment, and the new pro-
ject takes the form of proposing con-
stitutional amendment. 1t is surprising
to find a measure contemplating a
change so grave arranged by the judic-
isry committee at the end of the session
aud its advocates deliberately propos
ing to pass il under suspension of the
rules, aud practically without debate.
The argument in favor Of this pro-
ject is that it will give each Congress
a longer time for legislation at it's sec
opd session, and that the selection of
the thirtietb of April will be return
to first principles, President Washing
ton having been inaugurated on that
day. In this latter statement which
is the one especially urged at the pres
ent time, for the reason that the hun
dredth anniversity of the establishment
of the government will come in 1889,
there is misapprehensioD. 1t is true
that Washington was inaugursted on
the tbirtieth of April, 1889, but this
day had not originally been intended
for that purpose, and was finally adopt
ed for a single occasion, on acc ,unt OF
Unforeseen delays. Perhaps the first
mention of the fourth of March as a
public occasion is to be found in the
records of Congress for Sept. l3, 1888
The resolution passed reads as follows:
"Resolced, That the first Wednes-
day in January next be the day for ap-
pointing electors in the several states,
which, before the said day, shall have
ratified the said constitution that the
first Wednesday in February next be
the day for the electors to assemble in
their respective states and vote for
president and that the first Wednes-
day in March next be the time, and the
present seat of Congress New York;
the place, for commencing the pro-
ceeding under the said constitution"
1t turned out that when Congress
met on the appointed Wednesday,
March 4, 1889, there was no quorum
in either House. The representatives
adjourned from day to day, waiting for
a quorum, which consisted of major
ity, and this they did not obtain until
April /, when they elected a speaker
and clerk and proceeded to businesses
The Senate did not get its quorum
until April 8, when it at once chose a
presiding officer, as the constitution di-
rected, for the purpose of opening and
counting the votes for president of the
United States. The electoral votes
we're so opened and counted, that day,
in the presence of both Houses, and
Mr.. John Langdon transmitted TO the
elected officers, Washington and Adams
information of the result. Mr.. Adams
appeared and took the chair as presi-
dent of the Senate on April 2l but
Gen. Washington was not introduced
into the Senate chamber until April 80
by the committee intrusted with max
ing the occasion one of ceremony.
Then he went to the open gallery out
side the chamber, escorted by all the
senators and representatives and other
well known personages, there took the
oath administered 10 him by Chancel-
lor Livingston, and, returning to the
Senate chamber delivered his address.